It may be obvious and somewhat tedious to point out that humans do not have eyes on the back of their head. Despite our belief that the world is in our hands, there are things that we are constantly not able to see. So what does this mean in the world of fast pace automobiles? The same principle is applicable on the road; there are always things that we are unaware of. This is why it is vital that we are constantly making a legitimate effort to notice everything that is going on around us. Drivers need to continually make a conscious effort to check their blind spots.
This is not just for interstate driving, but anytime someone is planning on switching lanes. There are thousands of wrecks each year across the United States that could have been prevented if drivers were checking their blind spots. So what does this mean? Although mirrors are placed on a car in an effort to see what is going on around the car, they are not able to reveal what are often times in your blind spot. Checking your blind spot requires you to physically move your head and look over your shoulder before changing lanes. Most side-swipe accidents are caused by drivers who solely relied on their cars mirrors before changing lanes.
Although it can be a slight inconvenience to turn your head each time you change lanes, it is necessary. So next time you hop behind the wheel think twice and check your blind spot before changing lanes. After all when you are behind the wheel it is not just your life that you need to be defensive of, but those around you as well.
A deadly epidemic has hit the greater United States. This rampant “disease” has been contributed to 16,000 deaths in the last 5 years. That is about the population of Anoka, MN. This surprisingly curable series of happenstances have become something that has filtered into just about everyone on the road. That’s right…were talking about Texting and Driving. If you were to take an anonymous pool, most people would admit to texting and driving at least once in their lifetime. No matter how easy it is to do, this concept has the potential to have life or death consequences. Most people that partake in this unlawful activity usually just glance down at their cellular device and, think that it won’t hurt anything. However, that exact thing happened in the 16,000 cases where real human beings were killed due to texting and driving. In fact, the state of Minnesota prohibits texting and driving and if you are caught doing…there will be a nice $300 fine waiting for you! It has been said that there are 3 vital things that are required to operate a vehicle in a safe manner:
1. Your Hands
2. Your Eyes
3. Your Concentration
Sadly, texting and driving requires all of those things.
Infographic: http://texting-while-driving.org/
We all know that the winters in Minnesota can be anything but comfortable. As creatures of comfort, we love to routinely start our cars prior to our expedition out into the cold. This may entail running a quick errand, going to work, or even dropping the kids off at school. In any case, the simple fact of the matter is that no one likes to sit in a cold car, which in Minnesota can seem like sitting in an oversized chest freezer at times. It may be apparent that most vehicles in today’s day and age include a remote starter. This can seem very useful, especially when it is cold outside. However, is it a good idea to start your car prior to you driving it? Contrary to popular belief your car needs no more than roughly ten seconds to warm up. So what are the negative effects that running an idle car may produce? In light of the many negative effects that come from idly running your car, here are three reasons why not to let your car run in an idle state for countless amounts of time.
- Idle running is bad for the engine: According to the Hinkle Charitable Foundation's Anti-Idling Primer, idling forces an engine "to operate in a very inefficient and gasoline-rich mode that, over time, can degrade the engine's performance and reduce mileage."
- Idle running costs money: Over a winter an excess of five minutes of daily idling (which causes incomplete combustion of fuel) will waste roughly $70 in gas money. This will also produce an overwhelming amount of excess carbon dioxide to be released into the air.
- Idle running increases chance of theft: Although the keys may not even be in the car, the fact that it is running will alone increase the chance of occurring theft. Leaving your car running without being present is like leaving your house unlocked, while not being home.
So as agonizing as the winter cold may be remember to think twice before idly running your car for extended periods of time. Idly running your car may decrease your gas mileage, shrink your wallet, and increase your chances of becoming a victim of theft. These are three situations that most people do not need to deal with in addition to the daily stress they wrestle.
Posted by
Jodi Ruch on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 @ 02:57 PM
Minnesota winters can be challenging in just about every aspect of life. Driving and safety usually come to mind at the first mention of the S-Word…Snow! We are all guilty of thinking, ‘it won’t happen to me…I won’t get into an accident or get stuck in the middle of nowhere’. You never know what and when something will happen in the good ole’ land of Minnesota!
To make sure you and/or your precious cargo arrive safely during your travels this winter season, give yourself an extra 10-15 minutes to arrive someplace. You never know when the roads will be icy, especially side roads. If you have to drive when it’s snowing & blowing, make sure you drive with the headlights on low beam at night. Keep your gas tank a minimum of a half full. Also, keep an emergency ‘snow’ kit in the vehicle. Listed below are a few items to have in your ‘snow kit’. If you do go in a ditch during a blizzard or snow storm~STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE. Every year, we hear on the news how someone left their vehicle due to going in a ditch during a storm and wind up getting lost and risk the possibilities of death. It is easy to become disorientated during a snow storm and become lost. It is best to stay put and huddle together with the people in the vehicle.
Emergency Snow Kit
- FOOD (Non-Perishable) - Stored in large a can or other sturdy metal box. You know best what you need, consider "power bars", hard candy, remember this container may get warm, chocolate is not recommended in summer months, but for winter, they are a good source of calories. You may want TUMS or ROLAIDS, & Jerky. You know what is best for what foods to pack, if you are traveling a long distance during winter months with family in the vehicle, pack enough for each person.
- WATER - plastic bottles with screw tops 4 twelve to 16 oz. bottles suggested.
- SLEEPING BAG or BLANKET - (wool is best)- Enough to distribute to everyone in the vehicle
- BOOTS - Sturdy sensible boots, an extra pair of heavy SOCKS should be stuffed in each shoe.
- MATCHES - In waterproof container.
- FLASHLIGHT - With spare batteries. (the cold will have a tendency to drain batteries faster)
- FIRST AID KIT - Purchase one at auto or drug store, or build your own with what you need.
- YOUR REQUIRED MEDICATION - if you are traveling a long distance, make sure you have it with you.
- MAP - Have a recent (last 5 years) map of local area
- NOTEBOOK - A small pocket size notebook with pen and pencil in a zip-lock bag.
- FLARES - Note- Put in large zip-lock bag.
- RED RAG/CLOTH - If you go in a ditch or break down on the side of the road, hang this on your antenna or on a wiper arm. This will make your vehicle visible and emergency personnel will know you are in there.
- TISSUES
- JUMPER CABLES - If your batteries terminals are difficult to get to, be sure you purchase proper length and type of cables. READ instructions before using.
- CAR KEYS - Extra Set OUTSIDE of the Trunk or interior.
- WIPER BLADES - Make sure you have replaced your wiper blades! I recommend a good sturdy winter blade or the Bosch Icon are a good choice. They are a little more expensive, but I have found you get what you pay for.
- AQUAPEL - This is an awesome product (like RainX on steroids), it will help greatly with keeping snow and water off your windshield and aid in a much clearer windshield. I have personally had this applied this to my vehicle and it helps immensely with keeping the windshield cleared off.
- Windshield - If your windshield is cracked or damaged, have it replaced by a reputable company. Make sure if the temperatures are 40 and below, make sure that they do the work in a heated shop. In order to follow AGSS Standards & national regulations, to have a safe install for you and your vehicle, this is a must!
Written By: Mary Lundgren
Posted by
Jodi Ruch on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 08:44 AM
We all know the story - people go shopping on Black Friday and stow the deals in their vehicles. Their arms are tired, but they are determined to finish their holiday shopping. So they leave the comfort of the mall and run the bags of gifts to their vehicles. They open the trunk, place the gifts they have shopped relentlessly for in the vehicle, close the trunk, and go back into the mall to finish up their shopping.
What they don’t realize is that lurking in the shadows is, not one of Santa’s elves or reindeer, but a thief watching them put the purchases into their vehicles. The thief waits and looks to see if anyone is watching. If not, the thief approaches the vehicle, takes a crowbar or a retractable hole punch and smashes the window. In about 15 seconds, the thief pops the trunk, signals help from friends, and clears out the vehicle in about 45 seconds - from start to finish.
When the weary shoppers return to their vehicles, they are devastated. All of the money spent on presents for family and friends are gone. In addition, the thieves have cleared out all of the other valuables in the vehicles such as purses, wallets, lap tops, loose change, GPS systems, and cell phones. All of it is gone. The shoppers are left with disappointment and broken glass.
TIPS to avoid Being Caught by an gift thief:
- Rent a locker in the mall for temporary storage of your purchases until you are ready to leave. It may cost you a few bucks now, but could save you hundreds from the loss of purchases and glass replacement.
- NEVER leave valuables in an unattended vehicle. It does not matter if you have a 1989 Honda Accord or a 2012 Mercedes; a valuable in a vehicle is a valuable. A GPS, laptop, or a Coach Purse, is valuable to the thief regardless of the vehicle they stole it from. Remember, it does not take much to tempt a thief.
- Be strategic where you park. Be wary of parking next to a dumpster or bushes. Park close to the mall entrance and in a well-lit parking lot when shopping at night.
Unfortunately theft happens to consumers every year and it doesn’t just occur at the mall. As an auto glass customer specialist, I have heard dozens of stories over the years: everything from car break-ins at the mall to gifts being stolen out of the mini-van in the driveway. By using these tips, perhaps you can avoid being a victim of theft this holiday season.
Be sure to leave a comment with your anti-theft tips. Also, check out our blog on auto glass insurance on the link below. Your holiday season will remain merry, if you have the right insurance coverage, even if you catch yourself in a troubling circumstance.
By Mary Lundgren
By Mary Lundgren
http://www.glasstoday.com/blog/bid/99885/Zero-Dollar-Deductible-on-Your-Auto-Glass-Coverage-is-a-Good-Idea
Many people spend their entire lives wishing and hoping for a car of their dreams. They dream of the feeling that they would get from the sleek leather and ambient sound that is produce by such magnificent machines. Although many people desire this type of status symbol, few people actually reach it. There can be several reasons that this phenomenon may occur! First of all, the lack sufficient funds is the primary reason for not achieving such a prize. Secondly, sometimes the additional costs of these pensive objects can deter us from buying the car entirely; however, places like Glass Today are here to make sure that the people, who are deterred by the secondary reason, are able to pursue their dreams! Glass Today is one of the few auto glass shops which replaces luxury automobile glass and will replace windshields on collector cars. If we can handle the tough vehicles, we can handle anything.
Posted by
Jodi Ruch on Wed, Nov 16, 2011 @ 08:44 PM
One of my neighbors recently sold her home. Before the sale was final, the home had to pass inspection. The inspector said she needed to fix several foggy home windows. When getting a quote for the window replacement, she was told the seals on the insulated units failed. She was encouraged to check if the windows were still under warranty.
After some investigation, she discovered the windows were still 
covered under warranty, and her home was nearly ten years old! The windows were fully warrantied against seal breakage for ten years. Seal breakage caused the foggy look. After filing a claim with the manufacturer, the parts were covered by the warranty! She only had to pick up the replacement glass units and hire an installer.
Have you had your home windows replaced and noticed some of them have become foggy? (See the photo to the right - the right side of the window is foggy). Perhaps your home was built in the last decade, are any of your home window seals failing? In either instance, your home windows might be covered by some type of warranty.
Glass Today can help homeowners learn how to navigate their warranty claim. Regardless of the window brand, we can help you if you have foggy or broken windows. No warranty, no problem! We recommend replacing the insulated unit with a high quality, reasonably priced, Quaker brand insulated glass unit. Best yet, Quaker’s home insulated glass units have a life time warranty!*
If you have foggy or broken windows, contact Glass Today and ask for a free quote. Don’t put it off; your clear view may be less expensive than you think! The sooner you get on it, the better chance you have to save money.
(See http://www.quakerwindows.com/images/Warranties.pdf for specific warranty info.)
As winter approaches, Minnesotans prepare for this seemingly endless season. We clean up the yard and pull out the shovels! What we sometimes fail to realize is the fact that winter comes packed with tons of dangers. Along with icy roads and 3-day blizzards, this season 
comes with some less apparent threats. During this snowy time of year, deer migrate from location to location quite a bit. Deer need to stay warm so they remain mostly mobile to keep their body temperatures up. This presents a higher chance of deer to vehicle collision. Knowing this fact, we as Minnesotan drivers need to be proactive and drive considerably safer during these months. Be aware of the environment around vehicle and watch for deer crossing zones. Drive the speed limit and take curves slowly. Remain alert and drive defensively; however if you do hit a deer or any animal for that matter, make sure you pull over and call 911 for assistance. But if you follow those simple guidelines, hopefully have worry about that happening.
Posted by
Jodi Ruch on Tue, Oct 25, 2011 @ 04:16 PM
Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before we know it! With the coming of the Holiday season comes time with family, good food, and colder weather.
Here are some tips to staying warm while keeping the heating costs down:
- Check your windows and doors for leaks. If your windows and doors are not sealed correctly, warm air will be sucked out, and cold air will come in. Give your windows an extra layer of insulation with plastic from the hardware store and buy a weather strip for your doors.
- Close up rooms you don’t use often in the cooler months.
- Put up curtains! This will give your windows another layer of insulation and also will change up the décor of your home. Buy some, or get creative and DIY.
- Layer, layer, layer. Seventy-five percent of heat escapes through your head, so put on a hat. Scarves, sweaters, etc. are fashionable and practical in the Fall and Winter. Don’t wear your coat inside, though, otherwise you’ll feel colder when you go outside. Save some layers for outside. Get some cute throw blankets, and use them to keep warm when you are lounging around your home.
- Make a snack. When you cook, put on the kettle, or use the oven the steam will heat up your home. The fresh baked cookies and hot chocolate will not only warm you up, but also brighten your day.
- Light a candle. Not only will candles freshen up the scent of your home, they also give off heat. Just be careful that they are placed away from where children can reach them, and away from anything flammable (like your new curtains).
- Take a shower. The shower will warm you up, and the steam from the hot water can raise the temperature of your home as well.
- Get a pet. Remember body heat keeps your warm, and have a cat or dog to cuddle up to while watching a movie can keep you warmer so your thermostat can be kept at a lower temperature.
Contributing article: http://cynna.hubpages.com/hub/Handy-Ways-to-Keep-your-House-Warm-this-Winter-
By: Elisabeth Johnson
Posted by
Jodi Ruch on Thu, Oct 20, 2011 @ 08:36 AM
Whether you are looking for a windshield replacement, new home windows, or a storefront window for your business, Glass Today can meet all your needs. Once we complete the job, we want to know how your experience was which is why we created an online survey.
I don’t know what your thoughts are about online surveys. Some people like them; others think they are a scam or waste of time. I do know that there are people who fill them out all the time for a chance to win a gift card or cash. But in case you needed a reason to fill out the Glass Today survey, here you go.
The Top 5 Reasons to fill out the Glass Today Survey
5. Your technician could win a gift card based on your feedback.
4. The survey takes only 5 minutes, so you can fill it out while drinking your morning coffee.
3. You can let us know more services or products you’d like us to offer.
2. This is a team effort; your feedback will help us serve our customers better.
1. Gas prices digging into your wallet? You’ll be entered to win a Holiday Station Stores Gas card.
Thank you for choosing Glass Today! Glass Today Survey (survey requires invoice number)
By Elisabeth Johnson